Chapter 5: The Woman Who Was There Before Rachel Died
The insurance document stayed on my screen while I called Emily again.
"Tell me everything.""
She didn't hesitate this time.
"Vanessa worked at the medical office Rachel visited during the final months of her life.""
I gripped the edge of the kitchen island.
"What medical office?""
"The one where Rachel was receiving treatment for her anemia and exhaustion.""
I remembered that period.
Rachel had been tired constantly. She complained about dizziness and headaches. She had several appointments, but she never wanted to worry me.
I had been working long hours then.
I had assumed the doctors were handling everything.
"How did Vanessa know her?""
"She was an administrative assistant at the clinic. Rachel recognized her from the office.""
I looked toward the staircase.
Vanessa was standing there, listening.
"Emily, are you saying Vanessa knew Rachel before the accident?""
"Yes. And she knew about the insurance policy.""
I turned toward Vanessa.
"Did you work at Rachel's clinic?""
She didn't answer.
"Vanessa!""
She lifted her chin.
"Yes. I did.""
The admission landed harder than I expected.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because it wasn't relevant.""
"Not relevant?""
"You were grieving. I didn't want to complicate things.""
I almost laughed.
"You met my dying wife before you met me, and you decided that wasn't relevant?""
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"Rachel barely knew I existed.""
"Then why was your signature on her insurance paperwork?""
"She asked me to witness it.""
"Why?""
"Because she needed someone from the office.""
I looked back at the document.
"Why was the beneficiary changed?""
Vanessa hesitated.
"Rachel wanted to make sure Lily would be financially secure.""
"Then why was the policy redirected into a trust I knew nothing about?""
"Ask Emily.""
I called Emily again and put her on speaker.
"Emily, did Rachel change her insurance beneficiary?""
"Yes. She created a trust for Lily. I have the original paperwork.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"That's not what happened.""
Emily's voice sharpened.
"Stop lying, Vanessa.""
"Stay out of my marriage!""
"Your marriage? Rachel was still alive when you started visiting Michael's house.""
Silence.
I slowly turned toward my wife.
"What?""
Emily continued.
"Rachel told me Vanessa had been coming over while Michael was at work. She said Vanessa claimed she was helping with household paperwork.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"That's ridiculous.""
"Rachel even showed me photographs," Emily said.
"She didn't know why Vanessa had access to the house.""
I remembered something.
A few weeks before Rachel died, I had come home and found the kitchen cabinets reorganized. Vanessa had been there, supposedly helping Rachel prepare for an upcoming charity event.
I hadn't thought anything of it.
"Emily, do you still have those photographs?""
"Yes.""
"Send them.""
My phone vibrated.
Three images appeared.
The first showed Vanessa standing outside our house.
The second showed her carrying a folder.
The third showed her sitting beside Rachel at the kitchen table.
Rachel looked uncomfortable.
Vanessa looked perfectly at ease.
I enlarged the third photograph.
There was something on the table between them.
A document.
At the bottom was a signature.
Rachel's.
But the handwriting looked strange.
"Emily, did Rachel sign that document willingly?""
"No. She told me Vanessa pressured her to sign something she didn't understand.""
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
"That's enough!""
I turned.
"Sit down.""
"Don't order me around!""
"Then stop giving me reasons to ask questions.""
She snatched a glass from the counter and threw it into the sink.
It shattered.
"You have no idea what Rachel was like!"" she shouted.
I stared at her.
"Tell me.""
"She was selfish. She had everything. A husband who adored her, a beautiful house, a daughter, money. And she still complained.""
My chest tightened.
"Is that what this is about?""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"You always talk about Rachel as if she were some kind of saint.""
"She was Lily's mother.""
"And I was the one who had to live with her shadow!""
For the first time, the bitterness in Vanessa's voice seemed older than our marriage.
I took a step closer.
"Did you marry me because you loved me?""
She stared at me.
Then she looked away.
"I cared about you.""
"That isn't what I asked.""
"Michael, we had a good life.""
"Did you marry me because you wanted my money?""
She said nothing.
I felt something inside me break.
Then Emily spoke through the phone.
"Michael, ask her about the trust.""
I looked at the screen.
"What trust?""
"The one Rachel established for Lily. Vanessa tried to access it after the funeral.""
I turned slowly.
Vanessa's face had gone completely still.
"What is she talking about?""
Emily continued.
"Rachel left instructions that Lily's trust couldn't be accessed until she turned eighteen, except for approved medical, educational, and living expenses. Vanessa submitted a request to become the trustee.""
I stared at my wife.
"Why?""
"Because someone had to manage it," Vanessa snapped.
"Did they approve you?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
She looked away.
Emily answered.
"Because Rachel named someone else.""
"Who?""
"Me.""
I closed my eyes.
That explained why Emily had been so determined to remain involved in Lily's life.
She hadn't been trying to interfere with our family.
She had been trying to protect Rachel's daughter.
"How much money is in the trust?"" I asked.
Emily took a breath.
"When Rachel died, it contained almost $320,000.""
I looked at Vanessa.
Then at the bank statements on my laptop.
The money I had been sending every month wasn't the only money she had been trying to control.
She had been trying to get access to Lily's inheritance too.
"Did you take any of it?"" I asked.
Vanessa's face twisted.
"I was entitled to something for everything I've done!""
"That's not an answer.""
She grabbed her purse.
"I am done with this conversation.""
She walked toward the front door.
This time, I didn't stop her.
The authorities had already been contacted, and I wasn't going to turn the house into another confrontation.
But as she reached the doorway, she turned around.
"You think Emily is protecting Lily because she loves her?""
I said nothing.
Vanessa smiled coldly.
"Ask her what happened the night Rachel died.""
Then she walked out.
I immediately called Emily.
"What is she talking about?""
Emily didn't answer.
I heard her breathing.
Then, finally, she whispered:
"Michael, there's something I haven't told you.""
"What?""
"Rachel wasn't supposed to be driving that night.""
I gripped the phone.
"Then who was?""
May you like
Emily's answer was barely audible.
"Vanessa.""
